While in high school, Jonathan Olivan appeared on his way to baseball success as a left-handed pitcher and hitter.
After suffering a partial tear to the rotator cuff in his dominant shoulder as a sophomore, Olivan began the search for another sport.
“Trying to do too much too soon made me realize that wasn’t going to be the path for me, especially the rehab that was going to be needed,” Olivan said.
“That’s why I gravitated toward softball. It was low stress on my arm. The game was a lot slower pace so I was able to be active while I was still rehabilitating.”
Olivan, 32, hasn’t stopped playing softball since and continues with as much enthusiasm as those early days.
Big Red Machine, the 16-inch softball team Olivan joined in 2015, is among the invited field for the No Glove Nationals July 23-26 at the Park District of Forest Park.
Last year, Big Red Machine was among the four play-in teams but didn’t advance to the final 24-team field.
“The team is really excited. I’m really, really excited because of how long it’s taken us to get this invite,” Olivan said. “You have to really operate on all cylinders just to be in consideration. Just to get the invite straight up is very humbling, very gratifying as well.”
Olivan usually contributes as a first baseman but still plays center and right field like his old days “in emergency situations.” He’s among a veteran group of five to six players for manager Francisco Arenas that has made some key additions.
Big Red Machine represents the third generation of Creators Softball, which began in 1997 at Little Village’s Piotrowski Park.
“This (No Gloves berth) is an honor that we are deeply thankful for and feel truly blessed to have earned,” Arenas said. “We view it not only as a milestone for this current group, but also as a reflection of the legacy and perseverance of everyone who came before us.”
This season’s team has finished second in Forest Park’s A Division and at Clyde Park in Chicago and top three in the Melrose Park League. Earlier this month, the team had a top-six finish at the A No Glove Nationals in Schaumburg.
“I think (I’ve learned) to enjoy the journey. People tend to focus on winning championships, winning tournaments. I’ve learned to enjoy little moments any given season and appreciate moments for what they are,” Olivan said.
“I’ve also learned to be not only persistent but resilient. The seasons we play are long and can grind on the body but it really takes resilient passion for the sport to keep you going the day you don’t feel like playing but you know you have to be there for your teammates.”
When Olivian was a student at Lane Tech High School, his first softball teammates were neighborhood friends in the 16-inch Playing for Peace League in Little Village.
They won the championship. Olivan became enamored with the sport.
“One (memorable moment) that’s near and dear to my heart is when we won the championship. My first year,” Olivan said.
“That was a lot more special because it was with guys I grew up with in the neighborhood looking for something to do and stay out of trouble. We were able to accomplish our goal. Even though we were young at the time, we were able to play at a competitive level.”
Olivan played in the league for about 10 years and at age 18 also began playing with his father, Gerardo Olivan, on the Furies in a recreational league based at Archer Park.
During the summer of 2015, Olivan was scrimmaging at Hawthorne Park and had a chance meeting with Arenas, who approached Olivan about possibly joining Big Red Machine.
Olivan’s character and leadership now has him occasionally running and guiding Big Red Machine in Arenas’ absence.
“Jonathan is a true team player who consistently recognizes the importance of sacrificing personal opportunities for the benefit of the group,” Arenas said.
“Off the field, Jonathan is one of the friendliest and most intelligent players on the team. He brings a positive presence and a thoughtful approach that others gravitate toward.”
Olivan focused on playing only for Big Red Machine after joining during a busy juncture in his life. He had just graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and was beginning his career as a youth development professional.
Olivan’s Little Village background has helped his experience in working directly with youth on Chicago’s West and South Side neighborhoods for more than a decade.
When it’s time for softball, Olivan finds the sport and human connections “therapeutical” in all aspects of his life.
“I made the time commitment by focusing on my career and using softball to navigate through whatever issues I’m dealing with mentally, physically and spiritually,” Olivan said.
“People just view (softball) as a sport, but it’s more than that. It’s about developing genuine relationships with your teammates but also the other people in softball and the community buying into the sport. (Arenas) is the one in charge but he also tries to instill how we should act on the field – good sportsmanship and approaching the game the right way.”